The youngest champion in Ultimate Fighting Championship history, Jon “Bones” Jones will defend his light-heavyweight title against former champ Lyoto Machida at UFC 140. UFC 140 will be held on Dec. 10, at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Here are my predictions for the UFC 140 fight card:
Jon Jones versus Lyoto Machida
Jones will be in for the toughest fight of his MMA career, when he faces Machida at UFC 140. Machida is the technically superior striker, and he’s been very successful against solid wrestlers in the past. Jones is in a league of his own though, and he has the patience needed to defeat a technical fighter like Machida. Jones will eventually get the fight to the ground, and punish Machida with some serious ground-and-pound. Jones wins by TKO.
Frank Mir versus Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
Mir had no problems in the 2008 fight between the two, and I don’t think that much has changed since then. If anything, Mir has made more improvements to his game, and he shouldn’t have any problems at UFC 140. Mir wins by TKO.
Tito Ortiz versus Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
Tito’s wrestling will be the difference when these two meet inside the Octagon at UFC 140. “Little Nog” tends to struggle against wrestlers, and Tito should be able to get him down and keep him there. As long as Tito avoids Nogueira’s submissions, he should be able to walk away with the decision.
Claude Patrick versus Brian Ebersole
This should be an entertaining fight between two awesome welterweights. Both are riding impressive win streaks, but Ebersole has faced tougher competition in the past. Ebersole is also the more experienced MMA fighter, and he’s even competed at the heavyweight, light-heavyweight and middleweight divisions. Very tough fight to call, but I think Ebersole might be able to bring Patrick’s 13 fight winning streak to an end. Ebersole wins by decision.
Mark Hominick versus Chan Sung Jung
Hominick is one of the top three featherweights in the UFC, and I just can’t see Jung surviving long against him. Hominick wins by KO.
Undercard:
Igor Pokrajac defeats Krzysztof Soszynski
Jared Hamman defeats Constantinos Philippou
John Makdessi defeats Dennis Hallman
Walel Watson defeats Yves Jabouin
Mark Bocek defeats Nik Lentz
Jake Hecht defeats Rich Attonito
Mitch Clarke defeats John Cholish
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